Tina Turner - Tina Turns The Country On!/Acid Queen/Rough/Love ExplosionTina Turner

Following in the footsteps of Sonny Rollins’ Way Out West and preceding Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, Tina Turner’s 1974 album, Tina Turns The Country On! [8/10], showcases the impressive range of her abilities. At that time, she was already well-known from her partnership with her then-husband in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue...

Tina Turner’s 1974 album, *Tina Turns The Country On!* [8/10], follows in the footsteps of Sonny Rollins' *Way Out West* and comes before Beyoncé’s *Cowboy Carter*, showcasing her extensive talent. At this point, Tina had already achieved success as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. However, her solo career kicked off with a country-inspired sound rather than the rock-infused R&B that had brought her fame. As we celebrate the album's 50th anniversary, it’s an opportune moment to revisit this work, especially with the release of a new half-speed mastered vinyl and its first CD edition. Additionally, her subsequent three solo albums – *Acid Queen* (1975) [7/10], *Rough* (1978) [6/10], and *Love Explosion* (1979) [5/10] – are also being released on vinyl and CD, marking their first availability in two decades.

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Tina Turner penned a few of her own tracks, including the lively homage to her hometown, "Nutbush City Limits." However, it was her powerful reworkings of classic rock songs that truly established her as the queen of rock 'n' roll. In her first solo album, she shifts her focus to country and folk music, a move that likely reflects her upbringing in West Tennessee. Titled Tina Turns The Country On!, most of the album consists of cover songs, apart from "Bayou Song," an energetic Southern rock track written just for her. With all its attitude and simmering intensity, it’s evident that Tina could have easily filled an entire album with original pieces in this style. Throughout the album, her passionate grit and distinctive sultry voice bring new life to what could have been typical renditions of these well-known songs.

The songwriters featured in this album include notable names like Kris Kristofferson, Hank Snow, and Dolly Parton. However, it's her renditions of two Bob Dylan songs that truly shine. Her powerful voice complements the soft nature of Dylan's folk music beautifully. In "Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You," she brings a delightful sense of sensuality, while "He Belongs To Me" showcases even more emotion and hints at her role as a figure of empowerment. Her difficult and abusive relationship with Ike Turner is well-known, and at the time of recording, she was still two years away from leaving him. Yet, when she sings, “He’s got everything he needs, he’s an artist and he don’t look back” with such conviction, it feels as though she's predicting her own path ahead. By turning the gendered pronoun around and refusing to abandon the Turner name—a legal struggle she ultimately triumphed in, despite losing much else in the divorce—she makes a powerful statement.

In a general sense, this set of four albums serves as a significant link between the R&B success of the Turner Revue and Tina’s wildly successful solo journey that gained momentum in the 1980s. Among these albums, 1975's **Acid Queen** stands out the most, inspired by her role as the psychedelic Acid Queen in Ken Russell's film **Tommy**. Her portrayal of an LSD-pushing prostitute is both captivating and frightening, showcasing her powerful presence that aligns perfectly with Pete Townshend's dramatic and psychedelic concepts. The album features some of her most impressive performances, including a compelling rendition of The Who’s “I Can See For Miles” and a stunning reimagining of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” Here, the original's hyper-masculine eroticism is transformed into Tina’s fiery sensuality, creating a bold expression of confidence and allure.

Ike was still part of Tina's life during the making of "Acid Queen," so her 1978 album "Rough" marks her first true solo project without him. The opening track, "Fruits Of The Night," co-written by Pete Bellotte, who often collaborated with Giorgio Moroder, sets a bold tone for the album, which is adventurous, even if it doesn't always hit the mark. It features a mix of synth-pop, jazz fusion, disco, blues, and rock, all enhanced by Tina's signature, passionately soulful vocals. The following year, "Love Explosion" dives deeper into disco, showcasing Tina's desire to explore the genre, though it might not be the best showcase of her abilities. Together, these albums feel more like experiments, with Tina navigating her new path as an independent artist. Although the album didn't make it onto the charts and ultimately cost her contract with United Artists, it was only a few years later that "Private Dancer" would launch her career into new heights. While her remarkable legacy lives on, these four albums, especially "Tina Turns The Country On!," deserve to be revisited by a new audience; they are significant steps in her journey toward independence and her eventual status as a rock-and-roll icon.